Switch



Feb. 1 1927. v 1,615,849

H. s. PIERCE SWITCH Filed Feb. 24, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 43 1 HODGSO/Y s. P/,ec

ATTORNEY H. S. PIERCE Feb. 1, 1927.

SWITCH Filed Feb. 24, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR #00650 5. P/EECE LS-J-O- IAITORNEY Patented Feb. 1, 1927.

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

KODGSON S. PIERCE, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE STUDEBAKER COB- I IOBATION, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SWITCH.

'Applioatlon filed February 24, 1925. Serial No. 11,308.

This invention relates to electric switches of the ressure operated type, andrmore particular y to that t pe of electric switches or push-buttons a apted for use in connection with the signaling devices of motor ve-,

hicles.

One object of the present invention is to provide a switch of this type that may be positively operated without the exercise of special care or attention on the part of the user.

Another object 'is to provide a switch which particularly adapts itself. to an orna-.

mental finish for the upper end of a motor vehicle steering gear.

Another object is to provide a switch that is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, positive in operation and particularly lends itself to a construction which can easily be mounted and demounted such as is desirable in motor vehicle use.

Another object is to provide a switch of the tipping or rockin button type in which the button is resilient y held in contact with a seat.

A further object is to provide an electric switch comprising a base supporting a tiltable button, the button being provided with a peripheral contact adapted to be brought into contact with the base upon rocking the button to complete an electric circuit, the periphery of the button being normally held out of contact with the base by spring means which also serves to draw the center of the button down upon the base.

A still further object is to provide a supporting opening in which is removably sitioned an insulating sleeve provided wit an outwardl extending annular flange and an inwardly extendin annular flange, the outwardly extendin ange abutting against the supporting mem r and limiting t 1e downward movement of the insulating sleeve, a

button provided with a peripheral contact surface rockabl seated on the insulating sleeve and provided with a post projecting through the insulating sleeve, and a spring surrounding said post between the inwardly extending annular flange and the lower end of the post whereby to resiliently su port the button on the insulating sleeve and to normally hold the contact surface out of contact with the supporting member.

member provided with. a centralv The-above beingamong the objects of the present invention, the same consists of certain features of construction and combination of parts to be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and then claimed, having the above and other objects in view.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate suitable embodiments of the present invention, and in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views,

' Figure 1 is a sectional view taken through the axis of the upper end of a conventional automobile steering gear in connection with which an embodiment of-the present inven- 'tion is shown.

Figure 2 is an enlarged top view of the button and upper control member shown in surface, further illustrating the means for preventing rotation of the same.

Figure 7 is a partially broken view of the insulating or base member. Figure 8 is a modified form of the constructionshown in Figures 1 to 7 inclusive.

Figure 9 shows another modification of the construction shown in Figures 1 to 7 inelusive.

Figure 10 is a pers sulating or base mem r used in the structure shown in Figure 8, the same being in inverted position.

In Figure 1 is shown the upper rtion'of an automobile steering-gear whic includes a steering wheel comprising a mm 15 secured I to a spider having arms 16 and hub 17. The hub 17 is non-rotatabl secured to the hollow steering post 18 by a ey. 19 and nut 20. A

conventional jacket 21 surrounds the post 18 and conventional control tubes 22 and 23 are housed one within the other within the post 18. The control tubes 22 and 23 extend past the lower end of the steering column and levers, gears or other suitable members are ctive view of the insecured thereto which are suitabl connected to controlling devices for the ights, gas, spark or the like, whereby controlling the rotational position of the tubes 22 and 23 will control such devices. To control the rotational position of the tube 22 a circular member 24: provided with an extending lever or handle 25 is non-rotatably secured there- .to at its upper end immediately above the nut 20. A flanged member 26 is non-rotatably secured to the upper end of. the tube 23 immediately above the circular member 24 and a circular metallic member27, which'for the sake of convenience will hereafter be referred to as a supporter supporting member, is non-rotatably secured thereto by screws 28 or other suitable means. A handle 29 is formed on the support 27 to provide a means of rotatin the same to control the rotative position of the tube 23.

As before stated, the support 27 is shown as round, although it may be of any desired shape or contour, and is provided adjacent its outer edge with an integral-upstandin sleeve or ring 30, and within and space from the ring 30 with another integral upstanding ring or sleeve 31 which is open from end to end. Positioned within the inner ring or sleeve 31 is an annular member 32, preferably constructed of insulating material and provided at its upper end with an outwardly extending annular flange 33 and an inwardly extending annular flange 34 (see Figure 7) the inner edge of which defines an opening 35. The flange 33 seats against the upper edge of the ring or sleeve 31 and limits the downward movement thereof. A web or boss connects the outer ring 30 with the inner ring 31, and a Set screw 36 threaded therein has a .tapered outer end adapted to"seat in a circumferential groove 50 formed in the annular member 32, to hold the same in position with the flange 33 seating against the upper edge of the sleeve 31.

The upper face of the annular member 32 is preferably beveled to. form a relatively narrow horizontal annular seat immediately adjacent the opening 35. A button 38 is seated on the horizontal face adjacent the opening 35, the button being formed, as shown, of insulating material and provided with a metallic plate 39 on its under face terminating at its center in an 11 wardly turned interiorly threaded collar. he button 38 is preferably of such diameter that its periphery is substantially flush with the periphery of the outer sleeve 30, and spaced therefrom so that its lower face immediately adjacent its periphery is but a small distance above the upper edge of the sleeve 30. If desired, the button 38 may be made wholly of metal, as will be apparent, in which case the plate 39 woulcT be eliminated,

and its shape may be modified to overhang the sleeve 30, or-be of a smaller diameter as shown in Figure 9. I

A hollow post 40 provided with a head 41 is inserted through the opening in the annular member 32 and is threaded into the central threaded collar portion of the member 39. A. coiled spring 42 surrounds the post and is held in such osition under compression between the hea 41 and flange -34.- The opening 35 is slightly larger than the post 40 to permit a limited universal movement of the post 40 relative to the member 32.

It'will be apparent from the above description that the normal position of the different parts of the switch assembly is that shown in Figure 3, wherein the periphery of the button 38 is spaced from the upper edge of the sleeve 30 so that the metal plate 39 on the under side of the button 38 is insulated from the support 27 It is further apparent that if downward pressure is applied to the button 38 adjacent its center, the button 38 will be caused to rock or tip about its annular seat on the annular member 32, and that such rocking or tipping movement will cause the plate 39 to contact with the sleeve 30, and, further, that if such' pressure is released, the force of the sprin 42 will again return the button 38 to sai seat and causethe parts to resume the position in Figure 3. It will be understood that if one side of an electric circuitis connected to the support 27 and the other side is connected to the post 40, the circuit will remain broken while the parts are in the position shown in Figure 3, and will be closed when the button 38 is rocked or tipped sufficiently, as above described, to bring the late 39 into contact with the sleeve 30, t us forming an electric switch. In the. construction shown the support 27 is preferably grounded and the live side of the circuit, represented by the wire 43, is electrically connected to the post 40. The manner in which this is effected is clearly shown in Figure 4, in which the end of the wire 43 is soldered in thesmall metallic sleeve44 which seats within the hollow of the post 40 and is provided with an outwardly extending annular flange 45 which is forced against the end of the post 40 when the latter is threaded up into the member 39.

As thus far described, the button 38 ma be freely rotated, and if this were allowe it would be possible to twist off the wire 43 and 'thus rupture the circuit, and means are therefore preferably provided to prevent suoh rotation. Any suitable means may be provided for this purpose, but the form shown in the drawings consists of two spaced cars 46 projecting downwardly from the under side of the button 38 to loosely straddle the boss 37 surrounding the setscrew 36, which will allow a limited rotary movement of the button, but not enough to twist or break the wire 43.

It is essential in such switches that they be readily mounted and demounted from the steerm gear of which the form a part, and t is is easil accom lis ed in the construction describe by u'n oosening the set-screw. 36 which allows the button 38, sleeve member 32, post 40 and sprin 42 to be removed as a unit, and converse y, replaced as a unit. When removed from the support these parts may be easily separated by threading the post 40 out of the button 38, whereby any of the several parts can be phgiged or repaired with the minimum of a r. v

In Figures 8 and 10 a slight modification of the switch shown in" Fiu&es 1 to 7 in;

clusive is shown, the main erences being the manner of a plying the contact member to the button and the method of holding the annular button seat member in position. In this modification the annular member 32 of the first constructiondescribed is replaced by. a similar member 47 having a similar outwardly extending annular flange 48 and screws- 28 for engaging a similar inwardly extending ange 49 which flanges serve the same purpose as the flanges 33 and 34 in the first described construction. The member 47 is provided with two diametrically opposed axially parallel slots 51 exten from its bottom edge to the lower faces o the flanges 48 and 49, as particularly same being shown in inverted osition. Imbedded or otherwise secured in t e member 47 and projecting downwardly within each slot 51 is a 8 ring finger 52 which terminates below t e lower surface of the member 47 in a hook or U-shaped portion 53 which normally projects eat the outer surface of the member 47. he member 47 is inserted in the sleeve 31, the fingers 52 sprin in low t e -shaped ends to pass therethrough until the flange 48 seats against the to edgg ape of the sleeve 31, at which time the U-s ends spring out and resiliently engage the lower edge of the collar 31 and thereby resiliently hold the member 47 in position. The button-54 is of substantially the same shape as the button 38 and a contact member 55 is employed which is embedded in the material of t e button 54 and is exposed only on the lower ripheral edge of the button 54 immediate y above the sleeve 30, a nut being suitably secured to the center thereof to receive the post 40. Inasmuch as-no set screw such e536 is used in this construction, the construction is somewhat simplified by doing away with the boss 37 and providing an extension 56 on one of the the ears 46 to prevent rotation of the button 54. I

7 button 58 in contact with well shown in Figure 10, the

back during the operation to alshown in.which the support member 27 is provided with only the center sleeve 31 which is exteriorl screw threaded, and on which a metallic hase or auxiliary sup rt member 57 is threaded, the same extendiiig uwardly and inwardly to effect the same result as the inwardly extending flanges 34 and 49 of the two previously described constructions. Thebutton 58 in this case is somewhat smaller and is provided with a contact member 59 embedded therein and exposed on the lower peripheral edge thereof, and a post 60 is permanently embedded in the extends down through the base 57 from which it is insulated by a washer 61. A spring 62 compressed between the washer 61 and a second washer 63 secured on the lower end of the post 60 by a screw 64 which also acts as a securing means for the wire 43, serves to hold the button 58 upon its seat in the same'manner as the previously described constructions. In this construction, when the button 58 is tipped, the member 59 contacts with the base 57 to close the circuit instead of directly with the sup ort 27. v

' From the foregoing it wil be apparent that the invention involved is' subjectto a variety of changes in detail and shape, such the member 59 and as, for instance, modifying the construction I to entirely eliminate the outer sleeve 30 which is provided merel for the purpose of improving the ton, and that such formal changes may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the broad invention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

j What I claim is v 1. An electric switch comprising a support and a button having tilting movement only provided with a central post movable looks an flattening the but-- therewith, a peripheral contact surface on said button, a co-operating contact surface on said support, means for insulating said button from said support, and resilient means for seatin said button on said support and for norma 1y holding said contacts in spaced relation.

2. In an electric switch, a I supporting member provided with a contact surface and an annu ar seat, a base member removably secured to said seat rovided with a second seat a non-depressib e tiltable button resiliently held onsaid second seat, and ating contact surfaces a into contact upon tilting of said button.

3. An electric switch comprising a support, an insulating base mounted on said support, a non-'depressible rockable button mountedon said'base, a post secured to said button and extending axially of said base, an electrical contact surface on said button connected 'to said post, a co-operating contact co-operdapted to be brought surface on said support, and resilient means for normally seating said button on said base and out of contact with said support.

4. An electric switch comprising a supporting member provided with an exterior annular contact surface, a base member removably secured to said supporting member and provided with an exterior annular seat, and a button resiliently held on saidseat and provided with an annular contact surface adjacent its periphery whereby when pressure is applied to the periphery of said button it will rock on said seat and cause said surfaces to contact with each other.

5. An electric switch comprisingasupport provided with an exterior seat and a button resting thereon, co-operating contact surfaces carried by said support and said button, and means for resiliently holding said button against said seat whereby pres sure applied to the rim of Stld 'button will cause the same to be lifted from its seat on the side opposite to which the pressure is applied and cause said surfaces on the side where the pressure is applied to contact with each other. I

6. An electric switch comprising a metallic base, an insulating sleeve mounted on said base, a button seated and rockable on said sleeve and provided with an electrical contact surface at its under peripheral edge, a post secured to said button and extending through said sleeve, a spring surrounding said post for seating said button on said sleeve, and an electrical connection between said contact and said post.

7. An electric switch comprising a supporting member provided with an inner sleeve and an. outer upwardly extending sleeve provided' with a contact surface, a base member secured'in said inner sleeve and provided with an upper annular seat, a button overlying said sleeves provided with an axial postextending through said base member, resilient means surrounding said st for holding said button against said gse member, and a contact surface on the under side of said button adapted to contact with said outer sleeve upon tipping or said button on said seat.

8. An electric switch comprising a support provided with an exterior contact surface and an upper annular seat, a nondepres'sible rockable button provided with a co-operating contact surface and an axial post projecting through said annular seat, and-resilient means surrounding said post for resiliently holding said button on said seat.

9. A switch comprising a supporting member provided with an annular contact surface, an insulated base member removably secured to said support, and a button provided with a co-operating annular contact surface resiliently secured to said base member and having tilting movement only whereby said button can be operated to bring its surface into contact with said supporting member.

Si ned by me at Detroit, Michigan, U. S. A this 20th day of February, 1925.

HODGSON S. PIERCE- 

